South Korea Import Prices Rise in September

South Korea’s import prices rose 17.6% year-over-year in September 2026, accelerating from a 15.6% increase in August. Price gains were led by raw materials, which climbed 39.3%, while intermediate goods prices rose 14.3%. In contrast, capital goods prices fell 1.5% and consumer goods prices edged down 0.4%. By economic sector, mining product prices surged 43.6%. Manufactured goods prices rose 9%, led by a 44.4% increase in coal and petroleum products. Meanwhile, prices of agricultural, forestry, and marine products increased 2.7%. The Import Price Index rose 1.7% month-over-month. The Import Volume Index increased 11.1% year-over-year, while the Net Barter Terms of Trade Index rose 25.4%.

South Korea’s import prices rose 15.6% year over year in August 2026, easing from an 18.8% increase in July. Price gains were led by raw materials, which rose 26.6%, while intermediate goods prices increased 16.6%. Capital goods prices rose 0.7%, and consumer goods prices increased 2.2%. By economic sector, mining product prices climbed 28.8%, driven by higher prices for coal, crude petroleum and natural gas (29.4%), as well as metallic and non-metallic mineral products (27.1%). Prices for manufactured goods rose 11.3%, led by a 44.5% increase in coal and petroleum products and a 21.5% rise in basic metal products. Meanwhile, prices for agricultural, forestry and marine products increased 6.7%, with marine products rising 11.7% and agricultural products up 10.9%.

South Korea’s import prices rose 18.7% year-on-year in July 2026, easing from an upwardly revised 20.9% increase in June. Price gains were led by mining products, which climbed 24.9%, driven by higher costs for coal, crude petroleum and natural gas (23.8%), as well as metallic and non-metallic mineral products (32.3%). Prices for manufactured goods rose 16.7%, with coal and petroleum products up 35.5% and basic metal products increasing 28.0%. Meanwhile, prices for agricultural, forestry and marine products increased 15.2%, with marine foods rising 20.6% and agricultural foods up 18.3%.